effect pedals or rack gear quality?

[audiophilez]

I play metal guitar, I mainly record though I go onstage sometimes. My question is this, as far as compression, eq and reverb, wouldnt it be better to use high end studio rack equipment than stomp boxes for these particular effects? I notice the electro harmonix blackfinger was designed "like a high end studio compressor" why not just use a high end studio compressor? is there something to these pedals being designed specifically for guitar that makes them better? again, I am primarily refferring to compression, reverb and eq, any help would be appriciated.

 

[dragonworks]

In the studio I would say yes, on stage I use stomp boxes, much easier to tweak in an emergency. If you are getting feedback or need to make an adjustment in a hurry, tweaking parameters in the dark etc is a real pain in the ass. You might have everything set right in the studio but every room is different and you might have problems onstage. Just my exp. and opinion of course.

 

[Outlaws]

I would agree with the yes for the studio, but only if it is after tracking. If you are using it in the effects loop of the amp while in the studio, I would say whatever sounds best.

notice the electro harmonix blackfinger was designed "like a high end studio compressor" why not just use a high end studio compressor?

Because those can cost a thousand dollars.

 

[audiophilez]

I definately understand the practicality of stompboxes onstage but in the studio, I dont see why I would use a boss,maxon,tc etc... compression if I have a compressor I paid $2300 for. same with eq's and reverb. I also understand people going for a "particular pedals vintage tone" I would understand needing that particular pedal, but I play more metal, nu-metal and dont go for that 9 times out of 10.

 

[Outlaws]

I definately understand the practicality of stompboxes onstage but in the studio, I dont see why I would use a boss,maxon,tc etc... compression if I have a compressor I paid $2300 for. same with eq's and reverb. I also understand people going for a "particular pedals vintage tone" I would understand needing that particular pedal, but I play more metal, nu-metal and dont go for that 9 times out of 10.

There are guitar effects...
Pedals
Rack gear

And studio effects...
Rack gear
Plug-ins

Even if you used a compression pedal in the studio, that wouldn't mean you couldn't use an actual studio compressor on the track. Infact, they are really two seperate types of compression and are not related. The pedal is effecting how the amp reacts, and use mostly for volume or sustain. The studio compressor is evening out the track dynamics to sit better in the mix.

The rack compressor that is mostly for a guitars effects loop and not a $2000 item would be in the same boat as the pedal...in the loop or in front of the amp, whichever sounds best, but you still would use something on the recorded track at a later time.

 

[Tadpui]

Plus, would you really want to take a $2300 compressor into a room full of booze, drunks, and theives?

But Outlaws hit it on the head, compression for a guitar rig serves a whole different purpose than compression on a recorded track.

 

[audiophilez]

very good points that answered my question. I definately rely on a few of my pedals, it was just a curiosity.